Barb Jungr Shines at Almeida Theatre

Following her successful concert there in 2007, when she performed the songs of Bob Dylan, Barb Jungr returned to the wonderful Almeida Theatre in Angel, London on Tuesday night (22 July). The sell-out audience were treated to a rare performance of the material from her debut Linn Records album "Chanson - The Space in Between" (Linn AKD 129).

As well as the songs of Jacques Brel, there were hand-picked gems written by Leonard Cohen, Leo Ferre, Richard Thompson and a translation of Le Marquises by close friend Rob Johnson. Highlights included a segue of Tom Rush's No Regrets into the similarly tiled Dumont/Vaucaire song and a Fran Landesman re-working of Cri de Couer.

Material from the new album "Just Like a Woman (hymn to Nina)" was also visited on her, now signature, take on Chip Taylor's Angel of the Morning.

Backed by the atmospheric vintage keyboard playing of Jessica Lauren and the stylish, sympathetic piano work of Jenny Carr the trio produced an entertaining and, at times, stunning show that left the audience - which included a host of journalists, musicians and comedians of note - in no doubt that they had witnessed a rather special mid-summer performance.

Jacques Brel and modern pop with a thoughtful edge from a singer who always seeks out the unexpected. Her Dylan and Nina Simone covers are a delight. The Times